Did port district buy land for Granite City data center? Here’s what to know

A regional port district’s quiet negotiations over land for potential data centers have become a flashpoint in Granite City, with residents accusing officials of operating behind the scenes.

The officials deny misleading the public. Public records obtained by a local couple and reviewed by the BND show planning discussions occurred before residents were told.

FULL STORY: Port district land emerges as new flashpoint in Granite City data center fight

Here are key takeaways:

• Charles and Mary McCoy obtained emails and documents through public records requests showing America’s Central Port District negotiated with land scouts and briefed city officials before the public knew.
• The McCoys live in an unincorporated subdivision near Illinois 3 and New Poag Road, an area being considered for a data center, and fear lower property values and higher utility bills.
• Mayor Mike Parkinson, who serves on the port district board, denies misleading the public and said residents wouldn’t know about the proposal if he hadn’t invited a land scout to a November committee meeting.
• Houston-based Cloverleaf Infrastructure is now eyeing property in northern Granite City, but no sale has occurred and no formal proposal has been submitted.
• The port district owns 114 parcels in Madison County, including more than 1,000 acres bought from Ameren Development Corp. in 2024 for nearly $10 million, partly funded by a $5 million state grant.
• America’s Central Port Executive Director Dennis Wilmsmeyer said economic development is a state-designated function of the district and that keeping negotiations private is standard practice in the field.
• Parkinson said most land being considered is already zoned industrial and that he would only approve a project providing significant property tax relief and financial benefits for residents.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.